Battery cap



BATTERY CAP Filed May 16,1939

Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE BATTERY CAP Melvin John Schwartz, Bose Creek, Minn.

Application May 16, 1939, Serial No. 274,018

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in battery caps and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying novel means for automatically closing the vent for preventing the escape of the liquid in the event that the battery should be turned over, 'as in an automobile accident.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a battery cap of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efllcient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a view in vertical section through a battery cap constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a cap l of hard rubber or other suitable material which is adapted to be. screwed in the usual manner into the opening in the top of a battery cell 2. The top 3 of the cap I has formed centrally therein a vent opening 4.

Fixed in the cap i at an intermediate point is-a splash shield or baiiie 5 which may also be of any suitable material and which has formed therein vent passages 6. Depending from the top 3 of the cap I is an integral nipple i having formed therein a concavity 8 constituting a valve seat which communicates with the vent opening 4.

Extending between the splash shield or baflie 5 and the top 3 of the cap is a tube 9 of suitable material. One end portion of the tube 9 is mounted on the nipple l. The other end of the tube 9 is fixed to the splash shield or baiile 5. A vent opening Ill is provided in the tube 9 at an intermediate point. Operable in the tube 9 is a ball valve l l of solid glass or other suitable heavy material which is engageable with the seat 8 for closing the vent opening 4. A drain opening i2 in the splash shield or baiile i communicates with the tube 9.

It is thought that the manner in which the device functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Ordinarily, the 5 ball valve Ii rests on the splash shield orbaiiie 5 in the lower end of the tube 9 and gases which may generate in the battery cell 2 escape through the passages 6, the opening l0 and the opening 4. However, should the battery be turned over the 10 ball valve ll immediately rolls into the seat 8 and closes the vent opening 4 thereby positively preventing the escape of the acid solution from the battery cell. Of course, when the battery is turned right side up again the ball valve it returns by gravity to the position shown in the drawing and any of the solution that may have entered the tube 9 is drained back into the cell through the opening l2. As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the drain open- :0 ing [2 is located off center relative to the tube 9 to prevent said drain opening from being closed by the ball valve II.

It is believed that the many advantages of a battery cap constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A battery cell closure of the character described comprising a screw cap including a top having a centrally located vent therein, an integral nipple depending from the top of the cap, said nipple, having a concavity therein constituting a valve seat communicating with the vent, a splash shield mounted in the cap intermediate the ends of said cap and having vents therein, 40 a tube extending between said splash shield and the top of the cap and having a vent therein intermediate the ends of said tube, one end of said tube being fixed to the splash shield, the other end portion of the tube being mounted on the nipple, and a ball valve operable in the tube and engageable with the seat for closing the first named vent snould the cap be inverted, the splash shield further having a drain opening therein communicating with the tube, said drain opening being located oil. center relative to said tube.

MELVIN JOHN SCHWARTZ. 

